Latest News

QMI AGENCY

Walter Spencer's condition has significantly improved and his life is no longer in serious danger, the Montreal Alouettes said Tuesday.

The 31-year-old linebacker was stabbed outside a Montreal nightclub early Monday morning. He was taken to the Montreal General hospital, where he underwent surgery and placed in critical condition.

Since that time, his health has improved and he is no longer facing life-threatening injuries.

"His condition has improved significantly and he is now considered stable," said trauma surgeon Dr. Dan Deckelbaum, who is Spencer's attending physician. "He is expected to remain in hospital for a few more days.

"He thanks the community for its concern and well wishes."

Spencer's fiancee and family members from his hometown of Detroit are with him at the hospital's intensive care unit.

On Tuesday, all of the talk at Alouettes practice was about the unfortunate events surrounding Spencer.

"We are all saddened but fortunately things seem to be going in the right direction," Alouettes safety Etienne Boulay said. "The only thing that matters right now is his health.

"It makes you start thinking about the priorities in your life. For us, it's football at 100 miles per hour. This is our only priority, all of the time, and events like this put things into perspective. You realize that it is important to call your family, tell them you love them."

Spencer, a seven-year CFL veteran, has spent the past four seasons with the Alouettes and currently leads the team with 11 special-team tackles.

The Alouettes declined to provide any details on the stabbing as the police investigation is ongoing.